Young professionals roll up their sleeves

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WHEN Anthony Nantes, 26, (right) saw the outpouring of charity
for victims of the tsunami, he decided to meet a few friends to
discuss how philanthropy could become part of his generation's way
of life.

Mr Nantes, who works in IT, was shocked when 50 people turned
up. "We had a sense that people were ready to roll up their
sleeves," he said.

The result was Young Professionals for Charity, a group of
people in their 20s and 30s committed to changing the way their
generation thinks about giving.

The group, which includes lawyers, doctors, actors, engineers,
graphic designers and bankers, wants to provide young people with
ways to help those less fortunate, either through direct financial
donations or volunteering their time.

"I think the current generation really want to get involved and
they really want to make a difference, but it's about providing the
right avenues," Mr Nantes said. The group spreads its message via
email, with animations designed to appeal to their peers.

Mr Nantes said the group's 70 members and their social and
professional networks took no time at all to forward emails to
thousands of people, at no cost.

The group hopes to raise $50,000 at its first big event,
Globall, at the Melbourne Aquarium tomorrow, which will go to the
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, beyondblue, Child Wise and Oxfam
Australia.